The Landlocked Mystery: Afghanistan's Distance From The Sea

Afghanistan is a landlocked country in south-central Asia. The nearest coastline is roughly 483 kilometres (300 miles) away in Pakistan, on the shores of the Arabian Sea.

Afghanistan is a landlocked country

Afghanistan's location has made it a crossroads of Central Asia and South Asia, and it has been invaded numerous times throughout its history. The country is bordered by six nations: Pakistan, China, Iran, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. Its longest border is with Pakistan, which makes up the entirety of Afghanistan's southern boundary and most of its eastern one. The shortest border is the one with China, which is only 76 kilometres (47 miles) long and is located at the end of the Wakhan Corridor.

Afghanistan's drainage system is also largely landlocked. Most of its rivers and streams end in shallow desert lakes or oases within or outside the country. A few rivers in the eastern region eventually reach the Arabian Sea after first emptying into the Indus River in Pakistan. In the west, the sandy deserts along the Iranian border have no watercourses.

The country's mountainous terrain and distance from the sea contribute to its arid climate. Rainfall is sparse and irregular, mostly occurring between October and April, and the country experiences hot summers and bitterly cold winters. The combination of geographical and climatic factors makes Afghanistan a landlocked nation in both the literal and figurative sense, shaping its history, economy, and natural landscape.

The nearest coastline is 483km away in Pakistan

Afghanistan is a landlocked country in south-central Asia. It does not have territorial sea limits. The nearest coastline is 483km away in Pakistan, on the shores of the Arabian Sea.

Being landlocked, Afghanistan does not have direct access to the sea. Its position in south-central Asia places it away from the coastline, with the nearest seacoast located a significant distance away in the neighbouring country of Pakistan. This distance of 483 kilometres separates Afghanistan from the shores of the Arabian Sea, marking the closest point where one can access the sea from the country.

The landlocked nature of Afghanistan is a defining characteristic of its geography. It is surrounded by six different countries: Pakistan, China, Iran, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. Among these, its longest border is with Pakistan, which also forms its entire southern boundary and most of its eastern border. Despite having a lengthy shared border, the coastline in Pakistan remains the nearest point of maritime access for Afghanistan.

The absence of territorial sea limits further underscores Afghanistan's landlocked status. This means that the country does not have any maritime boundaries or exclusive economic zones in the sea that are under its jurisdiction. Consequently, Afghanistan's territorial presence is confined solely to its land borders, with no extension into maritime areas.

The distance of 483 kilometres to the nearest coastline in Pakistan highlights the inland position of Afghanistan. This distance is a considerable one, equivalent to approximately 300 miles. As a result, Afghanistan's landscape is predominantly defined by mountains, rivers, and arid conditions, rather than coastal features.

Afghanistan is located on the Iranian Plateau

Afghanistan is a landlocked country located on the Iranian Plateau, a geological feature spanning parts of Central Asia, South Asia, and West Asia. The Iranian Plateau is a part of the Eurasian Plate, wedged between the Arabian Plate and the Indian Plate. It is situated between the Zagros Mountains to the west, the Caspian Sea and the Kopet Dag to the north, the Armenian Highlands and the Caucasus Mountains to the northwest, the Strait of Hormuz and the Persian Gulf to the south, and the Indo-Gangetic Plain to the east.

The Iranian Plateau is a historical region that includes territories of Greater Iran, such as Parthia, Media, Persis, and Elam. It extends from East Azerbaijan Province in northwestern Iran to Afghanistan and western Pakistan, covering an area of approximately 3,700,000 square kilometres (1,400,000 square miles). Despite its name, the Iranian Plateau is far from flat and contains several mountain ranges. Noshaq in the Hindu Kush is the plateau's highest point at 7,492 metres (24,580 feet), while the Lut Desert in eastern Kerman, Iran, is its lowest point, falling below 300 metres (980 feet).

The Iranian Plateau has played a significant role in human history, serving as a "population hub" for "Common Eurasians" after the Out of Africa migration. It is also home to various archaeological sites and cultures, including Mehrgarh, the predecessor of the Indus Valley Civilisation, and the Central Iranian Plateau ("Jiroft culture"). The plateau has a diverse wildlife population, including leopards, bears, hyenas, wild boars, ibex, gazelles, and mouflons, and its shores house aquatic birds such as seagulls, ducks, and geese.

Afghanistan, being located on the Iranian Plateau, shares some of its geographical and ecological characteristics. It is a mountainous country with major rivers, including the Amu Darya, Arghandab, Farah, Hari, Helmand, Kabul, Kokcha, and Kunar. The country experiences scarce rainfall, mainly affecting the northern highlands, and has a dry climate with hot summers and bitterly cold winters.

The country is bordered by six other nations

Afghanistan is bordered by six other nations: Pakistan, Iran, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and China.

Pakistan shares the longest border with Afghanistan, accounting for its entire southern boundary and most of its eastern one. The border between the two countries is approximately 2,670 km (1,660 mi) long. Pakistan has historically had a strong influence over the Taliban, and was one of the few countries that recognised the group as a legitimate government when they were last in power.

Afghanistan's border with Iran is approximately 921 km (572 mi) long. Iran has a tortured relationship with the Taliban, viewing them as hidebound Sunni fanatics. Iran is predominantly Shia Muslim, and the Taliban have a history of persecuting Shia Muslims, particularly the Hazara ethnic minority.

Turkmenistan shares a border of around 804 km (500 mi) with Afghanistan. In recent years, Turkmenistan has strengthened its military presence along the border.

Uzbekistan has a border of about 144 km (89 mi) with Afghanistan. In August 2021, Uzbekistan hosted joint military drills with Russia and Tajikistan near the Afghan border.

Afghanistan's border with Tajikistan is approximately 1,357 km (843 mi) long. In August 2021, Tajikistan hosted trilateral military exercises with Uzbekistan and Russia.

China shares the shortest border with Afghanistan, at only 76 km (47 mi). The border is located at the end of the Wakhan Corridor in China's Xinjiang province.

The country is the 40th largest in the world

Afghanistan is the 40th largest country in the world, covering an area of 652,864 square kilometres (252,072 square miles). The country is predominantly mountainous, with plains in the north and southwest, separated by the Hindu Kush mountain range. Kabul, the country's largest city, serves as its capital.

Afghanistan is a landlocked country, bordered by six other countries: Pakistan to the south and east, Iran to the west, Turkmenistan to the northwest, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan to the north, and China to the northeast. The country's shape has been compared to a leaf, with the Wakhan Corridor forming the stem in the northeast.

The country's landscape is characterised by the Hindu Kush mountain range, which runs from northeast to southwest and divides Afghanistan into three distinct geographic regions: the central highlands, the northern plains, and the southwestern plateau. The Hindu Kush is a formidable range, with deep, narrow valleys and lofty mountains, some peaks rising above 21,000 feet (6,400 metres). High mountain passes, generally located between 12,000 and 15,000 feet (3,600 and 4,600 metres) above sea level, are strategically important.

The northern plains region, north of the central highlands, extends from the Iranian border to the foothills of the Pamirs. It covers approximately 40,000 square miles (103,000 square kilometres) and is a part of the larger Central Asian Steppe. The average elevation is about 2,000 feet (600 metres), and the region is both intensively cultivated and densely populated.

The southwestern plateau, south of the central highlands, is characterised by high plateaus, sandy deserts, and semi-deserts. It covers an area of about 50,000 square miles (130,000 square kilometres), with the sandy Rigestan region making up a quarter of this area. Several large rivers cross the plateau, including the Helmand River and its tributary, the Arghandab.

Afghanistan's forbidding landscape of mountains and deserts has long been a challenge for empire builders. The country's rugged terrain, coupled with the fierce independence of its people, has resulted in Afghanistan remaining a patchwork of contending ethnic factions and shifting alliances rather than a unified nation.

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